NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) — Interpace Diagnostics announced today that Cigna will now cover its ThyraMir molecular thyroid test.
Interpace's ThyraMir is a microRNA gene expression classifier designed to help diagnose thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. In 2017, Cigna began covering the company's ThyGeNext — formerly ThyGenX — next-generation sequencing-based thyroid test.
Interpace promotes the combined use of the two tests, noting that ThyraMir can identify malignancy in nodules that are negative for ThyGeNext. The company said that approximately 80 percent of ThyGeNext orders are accompanied by an order for ThyraMir testing. It added that the two tests are billed independently based on Medicare and American Medical Association coding policy.
"Cigna's decision to cover ThyraMir ... is another significant reimbursement milestone for Interpace," Interpace President and CEO Jack Stover said in a statement. "This is especially important because Cigna is one of the largest health plan providers in the US, and so many of our Cigna-covered ThyGeNext assays reflex to ThyraMir."
This year alone, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida; Blue Shield of California; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona; Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina; Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa; Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Dakota; and Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey began covering ThyraMir and ThryaGeNext.